Skin the tomatoes first of all by pouring boiling water over them and leaving for 1 minute, then drain and, as soon as they are cool enough to handle, slip off the skins. (Protect your hands with a cloth if necessary.)Cut each tomato in half, around the middle rather than vertically, and place the halves in the roasting tin (cut side uppermost) and season with salt and freshly milled pepper. After that, sprinkle on the chopped garlic, distributing it evenly between the tomatoes. Follow this with a few droplets of olive oil on each one, then top each one with half a basil leaf, turning each piece of leaf over to get a coating of oil.

Place the roasting tin in the top half of the oven and roast the tomatoes for 50-60 minutes or until the edges are slightly blackened. Then remove the tin from the oven and allow the tomatoes to cool. All this can be done several hours ahead.

To serve the tomatoes, transfer them to individual serving plates, then whisk the oil and balsamic vinegar together and drizzle this over the tomatoes. Finally top each one with an olive and garnish with basil leaves. Lots of crusty bread is an essential accompaniment to this.

In my opinon the sharp saltiness of capers just can't be beat, I love them on fish and even on pasta!

This dish looks delicious, it reminds me of the salads I ate while I was in Israel. I know this sounds wierd but Israel has the best tasting tomatoes ever. You can eat them raw like apples, which is something I would never do with the mass produced ones you find in the States. How are tomatoes in Brazil?

I agree with Valentina about the capers--a nice touch, Patricia. Marion cooked some delicious skate wing fillets this weekend, sautéing them in brown butter and adding capers. I should have photographed it for a post, but we were too greedy to wait. Oh, well. She'll just have to cook it again!

Sher, I'd love to take a walk around your garden and pick some of those delicious veggies and herbs you grow, sweetie!

Anh, now I want some to make sourdough bread, I've never had any! :)

Ellie, Delia rules. ;)

Ari, it's a group of foodies that pick a challenge once a month and all of them must make the same recipe. Wait and see the results! :)Tomatoes here are delicious, too. And I used to eat them just like you described when I was a kid.

Joey, try her website, is packed with delicious tips and recipes!

Mary, triple thank you! ;)

Valentina, if you ever come to Brazil you're more than invited to have dinner (lunch, breakfast...) at my house. ;)

Lis, thank you, dear!xx

Helene, next time I want to add a bit of buffalo mozzarella. ;)

Terry, I'll hope Marion does and my fingers are crossed for you to photograph it. ;)

Mimi, loved that idea! :)

Tanna, me too, sweetie!

Kalyn, this event is wonderful. I'm so glad to take part again and I intend to keep up with it!